Abbas Hopeful Of Imminent Return

Following another successful outing for the Foxtel National Youth League side at the weekend, Sydney FC defender Ali Abbas says he feels ready to go as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury.

Abbas completed 61 minutes for the Young Sky Blues, notching an assist and a goal in a 5-3 victory, and the Iraqi credited Head Coach Robert Stanton’s squad with helping him regain his confidence ahead of a return to Hyundai A-League football.

“I’m ready now and hopefully it will be very soon that I’m back in the squad,” Abbas said.

“I’m looking forward to it. I’m feeling very good and training wise it has been amazing, it’s been a long time but I just have to forget about everything and start from scratch now.

“It [playing in the youth team] helps me a lot to get my confidence up higher and I’m happy with how everything had gone so far.

“I’ve played three or more games with the youth team and it feels really good to be back on the pitch and I feel like I have all that confidence back.”

Not content with just a return to the pitch, Abbas has already set his sights on hitting the back of the net with the Sky Blues in the Hyundai A-League and he said it will be a special feeling when he’s able to pull the Sky Blue jersey on again.

“I said to all the boys on the weekend that it feels really good to score a goal,” he said.

“To come back and score a goal, I know it’s not an A-League goal, but it still feels good and hopefully I can come back and get some goals with the first team soon.

“It’s going to be special, I’m looking forward to it and I can’t wait.”

Sydney FC take on the Newcastle Jets in a Westfield W-League/Hyundai A-League double header on Saturday 9 January at ANZ Stadium. Purchase you tickets today and be there to cheer on you Sky Blues across two leagues.